WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House voted Thursday to renew the 1965 Voting Rights Act, rejecting efforts by Southern conservatives to relax federal oversight of their states in a debate haunted by the ghosts of the civil rights movement.
The 390-33 vote sent to the Senate a bill that represented a Republican appeal to minority voters who doubt the GOP's ''big-tent'' image. Southern conservatives had complained that the act punishes their states for racist voting histories they say they've overcome.
There were basically two provisions in question. Renewal every 25 years and English only ballots. Neither one of them is worth a fight in today's political environment when so many minorities *feel* like minorities.
I don't see how the renewal matter became an issue. But I would have voted for the English only ballots on principle as did 185 other house members when that vote was called. Considering the gist, that the GOP wanted to show that it is in no way hostile to Civil Rights, those 33 standouts are, by definition those who are. I think that very accurately describes exactly where America stands.
8.4% AGAINST
91.6% FOR
I'll say once again what I've been saying since day one at Cobb. Black politics needs to move beyond the politics of Civil Rights and on to the politics of social power.
Oh BTW, I got a PDF copy of today's "history lesson" from Bruce Dixon, editor at The Black Commentator, just in case you need proof of how out of step some folks are on such matters. If he's got any ego, he'll be deleting that story soon out of embarrassment.
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